Station and Track Upgrades from Grand to O’Hare

Big improvements are in store for the more than 80,000 daily riders of the CTA’s Blue Line O’Hare branch. Among the benefits of Mayor Emanuel's $492-million project:

Modernized stations to better meet the needs of riders now and into the future. This means upgrades to stations built in 1895 -- when Grover Cleveland was President of the United States.

Faster service. This will save passengers up to 10 minutes on a round trip between downtown and O’Hare.

A generally improved experience for Blue Line riders on the O’Hare branch. The project will bring brighter lights, cleaner, drier tunnels and, in some stations, a new elevator, improved entrances and original public artwork for customers and the community to enjoy.

The investment is also expected to generate 1,300 new jobs during construction.

See below for specific improvements headed for your section of the Blue Line:

As we upgrade the Blue Line, we will do our best to limit inconveniences. Riders will see temporary station closures and small delays overnight and on weekends. Check out the latest information on systemwide service changes, sign up for CTA Updates or follow @cta on Twitter to stay up-to-speed on work that might affect your trip.

Intro video

Call for artists

Original artwork adds value not only to our stations and their surrounding communities, but also to the overall transit experience for our riders. The CTA already has more than 50 works of art at 41 stations along the Pink, Red and Brown Lines. Expanding CTA’s collection of permanent art is a valuable investment for our system and the neighborhoods they serve.

An additional 11 locations will feature new artwork in the coming years as part of the recently completed Red North 7 and Red Line South Reconstruction projects, and also as part of the upcoming Wilson Station Reconstruction and 95th Street Terminal Improvements projects.

The CTA plans to incorporate public works of art at additional stations undergoing rehabilitation work as part of the Your New Blue project, details of which will be announced at a future date.

After reviewing all 100 submissions received, three final artists were selected to enhance the public space at the Damen, Western and California stations on the O'Hare branch of the Blue Line. These artists were chosen based on their artistic merit, qualifications and professional recognition, as well as their written statements of interest. Contracts were awarded to the selected artists during the February 2014 Chicago Transit Board meeting (more details here).